Sensor based exercise control system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for exercising core muscles, particularly the lumbar intrinsic musculature, including the multifidi. A system is disclosed that includes: a first sensor for detecting upper body exertions of a user engaged in an exercise; a second sensor for detecting lower torso exertions for the user engaged in the exercise; a third sensor for detecting lower extremity exertions for the user engaged in the exercise; a control system for processing sensor data from the first, second and third sensor, said control system including: a user interface system for communicating information with the user; a data collection system for collecting sensor data; an analysis system for analyzing the sensor data and determining if the user is performing the exercise in a technically correct manner; and a feedback system for alerting the user when the exercise is not being performed in the technically correct manner.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitatingproper exercise techniques and more particularly to a sensor basedfeedback system and method for facilitating pelvic and spine exercisetechniques to strengthen core muscles, namely the lumbar intrinsicmusculature and abdominal muscles.

Lower back pain is a chronic medical problem in today's society, and theyearly cost can reach as high as $600 billion per year. The economicimpact of lower back pain can be subdivided into direct and indirectcosts; indirect costs primarily relate to employment and householdproductivity, while the direct costs involve physician services, medicaldevices, medications, hospital services, and diagnostic testing. Anestimated 8 out of 10 Americans suffer from back pain at some point intheir lives. Back pain lasting longer than two weeks occurs in 16% ofthe population between the ages of 24 and 75, as reported by TheNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II. The ramificationsof this pain contribute to 149 million lost workdays in the UnitedStates annually, with an estimated cost of $1,230 per male worker and$773 per female worker. The net effect of these lost workdays translatesto a loss of approximately $28 billion per year in the United States,and £1.6 billion in the United Kingdom.

Presently, many solutions exist to purportedly reduce lower back pain,including both established medical therapies and alternative therapeutictreatments. Standard medical treatments for acute low back pain includeanalgesic and anti-inflammatory treatments, such as ibuprofen oraspirin, heat and cold therapy, and various back exercises and stretchesto relieve the stress on the lower back. Chronic lower back pain is moreheavily contended, with a wide range of available solutions.

Physical therapy and chiropractic approaches utilize a broad range ofexercises to strengthen portions of the lower back and additionally toincrease flexibility. The currently espoused belief is that theseexercises would decrease the deleterious effects of lower back pain. Inall of the aforementioned approaches, the muscles strengthened andstretched are user-specific and dependent upon the nature of the injury,including cause, symptoms, and pain location. Surgery can only beapplied to specific situations and is generally reserved for the mostsevere cases, such as osteomyelitis, spinal fractures, nervecompressions, stenosis, severe disc degeneration, and disc herniations.In addition to general approaches, specific devices have been developedto facilitate lower back exercises.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention provides a system, method and program product forfacilitating exercise techniques to strengthen core muscles, namelyintrinsic muscles of the spine including the lumbar multifidi. A sensorbased exercise system and method is disclosed to, among other things:(a) provide sufferers of low back pain with a simple, enjoyable, videogame-like interface that provides them with real-time in-home guidanceon the proper techniques for exercises that strengthen core muscles andultimately reduce low back pain; and (b) provide a system to workers inoccupations involving prolonged sitting that prompts and guides themwhen to take short breaks from working and perform core musclestrengthening exercises and do them properly. The system will reduceemployee low back pain, employer liability and lost work time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is a systemfor exercising core muscles, comprising: a first sensor for detecting anupper body exertion of a user engaged in an exercise; a second sensorfor detecting a lower torso exertion of the user engaged in theexercise; and a control system for processing sensor data from the firstand second sensor, said control system including: a user interfacesystem for communicating information with the user; a data collectionsystem for collecting sensor data; an analysis system for analyzing thesensor data and determining if the user is performing the exercise in atechnically correct manner; and a feedback system for alerting the userin response to the exercise not being performed in the technicallycorrect manner.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is amethod for exercising core muscles, comprising: providing a userinterface system for communicating information with a user engaged in anexercise; collecting data from a first sensor adapted to detect an upperbody exertion of the user engaged in the exercise; collecting data froma second sensor adapted to detect a lower torso exertion of the userengaged in the exercise; analyzing the data from the first and secondsensor to determine whether the user is performing the exercise in atechnically correct manner; and alerting the user in response to theexercise not being performed in the technically correct manner.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, programproduct stored on a tangible computer readable medium, which whenexecuted by a computer system, facilitates exercising of core muscles,comprising: program code for providing a user interface system forcommunicating information with a user engaged in an exercise; programcode for collecting data from a first sensor adapted to detect an upperbody exertion of the user engaged in the exercise; program code forcollecting data from a second sensor adapted to detect a lower torsoexertion of the user engaged in the exercise; program code for analyzingthe data from the first and second sensor to determine whether the useris performing the exercise in a technically correct manner; and programcode for providing feedback to the user regarding the exercise not beingperformed in the technically correct manner.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is asensor system, comprising: a sensor board adapted to detect exertions atdifferent areas on a surface of the sensor board and communicate theexertions to an analysis system; and a passive cushion adapted to beremovably placed on the sensor board to provide a seat for a user;wherein lower torso movements by the user seated on the passive cushionresult in detected exertions by the sensor board that are indicative ofthe user performing an exercise in a prescribed manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a sensor based exercise system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depicts a sensor that the users sits on in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depicts a lower extremity sensor in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a feedback interface in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a feedback interface in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram showing a method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a sensor that the user sits on in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended toportray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intendedto depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and thereforeshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In thedrawings, like reference numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The present invention provides a sensor based feedback system and methodfor addressing lower back pain by isolating and strengthening coremusculature, including “intrinsic” muscles in the lower back, such asthe lumbar multifidi. The invention is based on the theory that lowerback pain is often the result of dysfunctional lumbar multifidi, whichin turn causes the user to compensate by using other “extrinsic” musclegroups. That is, dysfunction of the intrinsic musculature, whichnormally stabilizes the lumbar spine, forces the prime movers orlocomotive muscles to become reflexively hypertonic to compensate. Themost commonly noted compensatory musculature in lumbo-pelvic derangementincludes the hamstring, piriformis, erector spinae, psoas, and quadratuslumborum. Damage or misuse of the multifidi leads to compensation by themuscles previously mentioned, and may cause abnormal motion (oralignment) of the spine. Abnormal motion or alignment of the spine hasbeen shown to be a cause of chronic lower back pain. Lumbar exerciseshave been shown to be effective for treating chronic low back pain. Notethat for the purposes of this disclosure, the term core muscles mayrefer to, e.g., spinal, abdominal, and pelvic muscles.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there are threeprimary exercises (referred to herein as core, pelvic or lumbarmultifidi exercises) that are used to strengthen the core and alleviatelower back pain.

I. The anterior/posterior pelvic tilt involves front-to-back movement ofthe lumbar spine and pelvis.

II. The side-to-side pelvic tilt is similar, but uses a lateral sway.

III. The “pelvic circles” exercise describes a clockwise andcounterclockwise circular movement of the pelvis.

For those with compromised intrinsic muscles, these core exercisesinitially can be difficult to perform properly and often there iscompensation by other muscles, reducing the effectiveness of theexercises. Compensation by incorrect muscles is verified by cues such asraising the shoulders unilaterally or bilaterally, flexion or extensionof the torso, and/or movement of the lower extremities, e.g., liftingthe heels or pushing down with the feet while seated on an unstablesurface or seat (such as a large ball or cushion).

The present invention utilizes a sensor based feedback system to assistusers, e.g., with visual and audio clues, to properly perform abovenoted core exercises. Without such feedback, users would typically havea hard time isolating the correct muscles to move. With time however,the final result is the correction of the poor motor patterns andamelioration of the lower back pain with the user having the ability todiscern proper lumbo-pelvic movements from improper movement.Ultimately, the user is empowered to erase or decrease fear avoidancebehavior and regain confidence in their lower back movements.

Illustrative Embodiments

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an illustrativesensor-based core exercise system 11 for providing sensor based feedbackand guidance to a user 40 performing any one of the three core exercisesnoted above. This embodiment utilizes three systems of sensors 34, 36,and 38, to collect data from the user 40 that is analyzed by computersystem 10 to ensure that the exercises are being done correctly. For thepurposes of this disclosure, the term sensor or sensor system refers toany device or mechanism that can detect an exertion from a user. Anexertion may include any type of movement, pressure change, or appliedforce from a body part of the user 40. Note that FIG. 1 describes anembodiment with three sensor systems 34, 36, and 38 for collectingreadings from three areas, upper body, lower torso, and lower extremity.However, it is understood that the invention may be implemented lessthan three sensor systems, i.e., an embodiment with just one or twosensor systems may be utilized.

Each of the three core exercises are performed with the user seated, inthis case on a chair 42. While seated, the user must typically remain ina relatively upright and neutral position. From the position, the user40 is instructed by computer system 10 to perform: anterior/posteriorpelvic tilts, involves front-to-back movements of the lumbar spine andpelvis; side-to-side pelvic tilts, using a lateral sway; and/or “pelviccircles” using a circular movement of the pelvis. As noted, pelvic tiltexercises initially can be difficult to perform properly and often thereis compensation by other muscles, reducing the effectiveness of theexercises.

By analyzing data from the three sensors 34, 36, 38, a determination ismade whether the user is performing the exercise in a technicallycorrect manner. In this embodiment, sensor 34 is affixed to the user'supper body, e.g., torso or shoulders and measures or detects upper bodyexertions, e.g., forward-back, side-to-side, and up-down motions; sensor36 comprises a seat that the user 40 sits on and detects the user'slower torso (e.g., pelvic, spine, abdomen, etc.) exertions relative to acentral neutral position; and sensor 38 comprises a foot rest anddetects a lower extremity exertion, e.g., foot pressure, force ormotion. Sensors 39 a, 39 b, 39 c depict alternative sensorlocations/embodiments for measuring lower extremity exertion. Sensor 39a is shown attached to the user's thigh, sensor 39 b is shown attachedto the user's shin, and sensor 39 c is shown on top of the user's foot.As is evident, the particular location for detecting lower extremityexertion can vary, and any location that is suitable for detectingexertion may be utilized.

During the performance of the core exercises, there should be little orno upper body motion (as monitored by sensor 34), and no lower extremityexertion (as monitored by sensor 38). The lower torso region of theuser, as monitored by sensor 36, should exhibit a specific range ofmotion depending on the exercise. For instance, while performinganterior/posterior pelvic tilts, there should be an exertion (i.e.,pressure, force or motion) change detected in the forward/reardirections, but none in the side-to-side directions.

In this example, a video interface device 32 is provided to interfacewith, guide and provide feedback to the user performing the exercises.Although not shown, other devices could similarly be utilized tointerface with the user, e.g., keyboard, remote control device, TV,audio, holography, smart phone, tablet, GPS, etc. As the user performsthe exercises, sensor data from the three sensors is transmitted via adata interface 30 into computer system 10. Data may be transmitted inany manner (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.). Computer system 10collects and analyzes the sensor data and determines if the user 40 isperforming a core exercise correctly. If the user 40 is utilizingincorrect technique, feedback is provided to the user 40 tochange/correct the technique.

Computer system 10 includes a core exercise control system 18, which mayfor example be implemented as a computer program product stored inmemory 16 and executable by processor 12. Core exercise control system18 generally includes: (1) a user interface system 20 that generallyprovides a suite of interface modes for user 40 including, e.g., asign-in mode, a set-up mode, a calibration mode, a user training mode,an exercise mode, etc.; (2) a data collection system 22 for collectingsensor data streamed in from data interface 30; (3) an analysis system24 for analyzing the sensor data; and (4) a feedback system 26 forproviding information back to the user 40 regarding the performance ofthe exercise by the user. Computer system 10 may also include a database28 that may for instance include user specific data (e.g., past exerciseregimens, calibration data, interface settings, etc.) and may store datafor multiple users.

As noted, in order to assess whether the user's technique is correct,the three sensors 34, 36, 38 are adapted to collect data about (1) upperbody exertion, (2) lower torso exertion, and (3) lower extremityexertion. Sensors 34, 36, 38 may be implemented using any type ofsensing devices, and various examples are discussed herein.

In one illustrative embodiment, upper body sensor 34 is implemented withan accelerometer device (such as a Wii remote) strapped to the user'storso. The accelerometer detects roll and pitch of the shoulders andtorso to ensure the shoulders are properly positioned. It is understoodhowever, that any device for detecting upper body movement could beutilized.

Lower torso sensor 36 generally comprises a seat that senses exertion,e.g., pressure force or motion, over different points on the surface ofthe seat. In one embodiment, the distribution of pressure among thesensors monitors the user's center of gravity and movement of the pelviswhile the user performs the core exercises. When the exercises are beingperformed properly, the pressure distribution should follow a consistentpattern. An aberrant change in exertion indicates that the user isimproperly compensating during the exercises.

In one illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and B, lower torsosensor 36 comprises a cushioned disc 53 with a plurality of air bladders55, each having a sensor for monitoring its internal air pressure (orforce or motion). When the user moves, air pressure (or force or motion)changes are detected and converted to electrical signals. Note that thebladders 55 could be filled with any type of fluid, (i.e., liquid orgas).

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an alternative embodiment of a Lower torso sensorsystem 60. Lower torso sensor system 60 includes a sensor board 62 and apassive cushion 64 that rests on top of the sensor board 62. Sensorboard 62 generally comprises a rigid platform that can sense exertionsat different points on a surface 68. An example of such a device is aWii Fit Board®. Also included is a mechanism 68 that communicates sensorreadings e.g., via Bluetooth, infrared, etc., to an analysis system,e.g., a Wii console. Passive cushion 64 generally comprises a pliable(e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.) material that can be placed onto thesurface 68 of the sensor board 62. The lower torso sensor system 60 asshown in FIG. 7B can be placed on, e.g., on a chair, with the userseated on the passive cushion 64. As the user performs pelvic exercises,the sensor board 62 detects exertions at different points on the sensorboard 62 and communicates that data for analysis.

As noted the lower extremity sensor 38 monitors exertions of the lowerextremity, e.g., lifting or pressing of the feet, thighs or legs duringperformance of the exercises. An illustrative unit such as that shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B may be comprised of contact sensors 57 for each footthat detect when exertions under the feet is reduced below or exceeds apreset threshold. As noted, detecting exertions may include detectingforce, pressure or motion. There should be little or no movement of thefeet when the exercises are performed properly. A detection of lowerextremity movement indicates that the user is improperly compensatingduring the exercises. In an alternative embodiment, a accelerometer,such as a Wii controller, could be affixed to the user's leg, such asthat shown by reference numbers 39 a-c in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative interface for providing feedback to theuser. A bar 50 is utilized to depict the position of the upper body anda grid 52 is utilized to show a pressure point of the pelvis. FIG. 5depicts an animated feedback interface in which an avatar of the user isshown performing the exercises. Obviously, FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a fewinterface examples, and any type, design, layout, device, etc., may beutilized to provide feedback.

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of an illustrative methodology forimplementing a sensor based pelvic exercise regimen. First, at S1, theuser logs into (or otherwise activates) the exercise control system 18and places himself/herself in a ready position with the sensors engaged.Next, the exercise regimen begins at S2. The user may for instance beinstructed and guided through an exercise routine via a video interface.Sensor data is continuously collected and transmitted to the controlsystem 18 at S3. The control system 18 then analyzes the data anddetermines if too much upper body movement is detected at S4, if thepelvic motion is outside expected movement thresholds at S5 and if afoot exertion is detected at S6. If any of these conditions occur, theuser is notified via feedback at S7 (e.g., by a video alert, an audiomessage, a tactile feedback such as a vibration, etc.). If not, moresensor data is collected and the process repeats until the exerciseregimen ends.

Further Illustrative Embodiments

The system described above could also be integrated into the seat ofcars (such as taxi cabs), trucks, buses, airplanes, and office or taskchairs. In the case where the system was being used by the operator of avehicle, only the upper body and lower torso sensors would be used. Insuch an embodiment, a small, portable, handheld (or dashboard mounted)display could be used to provide the user with a prompt as to when it istime to take a break and do the exercises, as well as provide the userwith the necessary feedback while the user conducts the exercises (asdescribed above). The system can also record when and how often the useruses the system and if they are compliant with the exercise regimen.This will not only reduce the incidence of low back pain for a worker,but also reduce liability for the employer.

For workers who spend time sitting in front of a computer, a wirelessconnection (such as Bluetooth) could be made from the chair to thecomputer to provide the user with the same type of feedback as describedabove, but using the computer display rather than a portable one.

Moreover, although generally described with reference to exercises forstrengthening the core, the system and method described herein could beutilized for any exercise in which a user is seated.

An illustrative list of embodiments and features are outlined below:

-   1. Measurement of upper body, e.g., torso/shoulder, movement during    exercise    -   a. Measure change in position via:        -   i. Electromagnetic tracking device(s)        -   ii. Infrared tracking device(s)        -   iii. Laser tracking device(s)        -   iv. One or more photo/image tracking device(s)        -   v. Inertial device(s)        -   vi. GPS device(s)    -   b. Measure change in angle.        -   i. Inclinometer(s)        -   ii. Accelerometer(s)        -   iii. Electromagnetic tracking device(s)        -   iv. Infrared tracking device(s)        -   v. Laser tracking device(s)        -   vi. One or more photo/image tracking device(s)-   2. Measurement of lower torso/pelvic movement during exercise    -   a. Measure change in pressure (or force or motion) distribution        -   i. Pressure transducer(s) in an air bladder(s) under pelvis        -   ii. Pressure transducer(s) in a fluid-filled chamber(s)            under pelvis        -   iii. Flat array of pressure transducers under pelvis        -   iv. Array of contact switches under pelvis    -   b. Measure change in force distribution        -   i. Flat array of load cells under pelvis        -   ii. Force sensing resistor(s) under pelvis        -   iii. Array of springs with displacement sensors (F=kx) under            pelvis        -   iv. Array of contact switches under pelvis    -   c. Measure change in position        -   i. Electromagnetic tracking device(s) attached to pelvis        -   ii. Infrared tracking device(s) attached to pelvis        -   iii. Laser tracking device(s) attached to pelvis        -   iv. One or more photo/image tracking device(s) attached to            pelvis        -   v. Inertial device(s) attached to pelvis        -   vi. GPS device(s) attached to pelvis        -   vii. Array of contact switches under pelvis    -   d. Measure change in angle.        -   i. Inclinometer(s) attached to pelvis        -   ii. Accelerometer(s) attached to pelvis        -   iii. Electromagnetic tracking device(s) attached to pelvis        -   iv. Infrared tracking device(s) attached to pelvis        -   v. Laser tracking device(s) attached to pelvis        -   vi. One or more photo/image tracking device(s) attached to            pelvis-   3. Measurement of lower extremity movement during exercise    -   a. Measure change in pressure (or force or motion) distribution        -   i. Pressure transducer(s) in an air bladder(s) under            foot/feet        -   ii. Pressure transducer(s) in a fluid-filled chamber(s)            under foot/feet        -   iii. Flat array of pressure transducers under pelvis    -   b. Measure change in force distribution        -   i. Flat array of load cells under pelvis        -   ii. Force sensing resistor(s)        -   iii. Array of springs with displacement sensors (F=kx)    -   c. Measure change in position        -   i. Electromagnetic tracking device(s)        -   ii. Infrared tracking device(s)        -   iii. Laser tracking device(s)        -   iv. One or more photo/image tracking device(s)        -   v. Inertial device(s)        -   vi. GPS device(s)    -   d. Measure change in angle.        -   i. Inclinometer(s)        -   ii. Accelerometer(s)        -   iii. Electromagnetic tracking device(s)        -   iv. Infrared tracking device(s)        -   v. Laser tracking device(s)        -   vi. One or more photo/image tracking device(s)-   4. A central module for processing the data.    -   a. Computer    -   b. Digital signal processor    -   c. Signal conditioning module    -   d. Game console-   5. A device for providing feedback to the user.    -   a. Video        -   i. Monitor(s) display information/instructions for the user.        -   ii. Television(s) display information/instructions for the            user.        -   iii. A computer screen(s) display information/instructions            for the user.        -   iv. A smart phone or tablet that days            information/instructions for the user.    -   b. Audio        -   i. Sound generating device (speakers) provides audible            information/instructions to the user.        -   ii. Television provides audible information/instructions to            the user.        -   iii. A computer provides audible information/instructions to            the user.        -   iv. Person audio system (i.e. iPod) provides audible            information/instructions to the user.        -   v. A smart phone or tablet that provides audible            information/instructions for the user.    -   c. Tactile/haptic        -   i. Vibration through the feet, pelvis, or torso/shoulders            gives user feedback.        -   ii. Forces through the feet, pelvis, or torso/shoulders            gives user feedback.-   6. A chair, stool, seat, cushion, disk, ball, or bladder on which a    user sits. Said chair, stool, seat, cushion, disk, ball or bladder    is comprised of:    -   a. A flat or curved surface on which the user sits which        incorporates pressure, motion or force sensors.    -   b. A combination of a sensor board and a cushion.-   7. A pad, mat, platform, stool, footrest, ottoman on which a user    places their feet or a device for detecting lower extremity    comprised of:    -   a. A flat or curved surface on which the user places their feet        which incorporates anything described herein.    -   b. A motion detector affixed to the user's lower extremity.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD-ROM, Blu-Ray-ROM,an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, acomputer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that cancontain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In addition, the core exercise control system 18 may be implemented by aservice provider over a network such as the Internet/Web. In such anembodiment, a client-server infrastructure could be implemented.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A system for exercising core muscles, comprising: a first sensor fordetecting an upper body exertion of a user engaged in an exercise; asecond sensor for detecting a lower torso exertion of the user engagedin the exercise; and a control system for processing sensor data fromthe first and second sensor, said control system including: a userinterface system for communicating information with the user; a datacollection system for collecting sensor data; an analysis system foranalyzing the sensor data and determining if the user is performing theexercise in a technically correct manner; and a feedback system foralerting the user in response to the exercise not being performed in thetechnically correct manner.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprisinga third sensor for detecting a lower extremity exertion of the userengaged in the exercise, wherein the control system processes sensordata from the third sensor.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the lowerextremity exertion includes at least one of a movement and an exertedpressure from at least one of a foot, a leg, and a thigh.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the upper body exertion includes at least one of amovement and an exerted pressure from at least one of a torso and ashoulder.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the lower torso exertionincludes at least one of a pelvic movement and an exerted pressure. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sensors areintegrated into a seat or a cushion adapted to be placed on a seat. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor comprises a sensorboard and a passive cushion adapted for placement onto the sensor board.8. A method for exercising core muscles, comprising: providing a userinterface system for communicating information with a user engaged in anexercise; collecting data from a first sensor adapted to detect an upperbody exertion of the user engaged in the exercise; collecting data froma second sensor adapted to detect a lower torso exertion of the userengaged in the exercise; analyzing the data from the first and secondsensor to determine whether the user is performing the exercise in atechnically correct manner; and alerting the user in response to theexercise not being performed in the technically correct manner.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: collecting data from a thirdsensor adapted to detect a lower extremity exertion of the user engagedin the exercise; analyzing the data from the third sensor to determinewhether the user is performing the exercise in the technically correctmanner.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the lower extremity exertionincludes at least one of a movement and an exerted pressure from atleast one of a foot, a leg and a thigh.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the upper body exertion includes at least one of a movement andan exerted pressure from at least one of a torso and a shoulder.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the lower torso exertion includes at leastone of a movement and an exerted pressure.
 13. The method of claim 8,wherein the user interface includes at least one of an audio, video andtactile interface.
 14. A program product stored on a tangible computerreadable medium, which when executed by a computer system, facilitatesexercising of core muscles, comprising: program code for providing auser interface system for communicating information with a user engagedin an exercise; program code for collecting data from a first sensoradapted to detect an upper body exertion of the user engaged in theexercise; program code for collecting data from a second sensor adaptedto detect a lower torso exertion of the user engaged in the exercise;program code for analyzing the data from the first and second sensor todetermine whether the user is performing the exercise in a technicallycorrect manner; and program code for providing feedback to the userregarding the exercise not being performed in the technically correctmanner.
 15. The program product of claim 14, further comprising: programcode for collecting data from a third sensor adapted to detect a lowerextremity exertion of the user engaged in the exercise; and program codefor analyzing the data from the third sensor.
 16. The program product ofclaim 15, wherein the lower extremity exertion includes at least one ofa movement and an exerted pressure from at least one of a foot, a legand a thigh.
 17. The program product of claim 14, wherein the upper bodyexertion includes at least one of a movement and an exerted pressurefrom at least one of a torso and a shoulder.
 18. The program product ofclaim 14, wherein the lower torso exertion includes at least one of amovement and an exerted pressure.
 19. The program product of claim 14,wherein the user interface includes at least one of an audio, video andtactile interface.
 20. A sensor system, comprising: a sensor boardadapted to detect exertions at different areas on a surface of thesensor board and communicate the exertions to an analysis system; and apassive cushion adapted to be removably placed on the sensor board toprovide a seat for a user; wherein lower torso movements by the userseated on the passive cushion result in detected exertions by the sensorboard that are indicative of the user performing an exercise in aprescribed manner.